Ashland

Visited 05/25/13

Memorial Day weekend marked our first zigzagging trip to southern Oregon. We headed this way to spend some time with our niece who is currently attending Southern Oregon University. I'm not sure Ashland is really the center of the universe, but it certainly is a great place to visit and the sort of place that one could easily imagine calling home.

The town has been in existence for roughly 150 years thanks in large part to it's proximity to the terminus of the Applegate Trail.

In the 1800's mineral rich "lithia water" springs were found a few miles out of town. The pungent liquid was piped into town, originally in an effort to create a spa and bottle it, and you can still find it bubbling from a few fountains around town including this one near the edge of Lithia Park.

Ashland's gem, Lithia Park, dates back to the turn of the 20th century. The park has had it's up and downs, but is lovingly cared for today and finds itself on the National Register of Historic Places.

The park's 93 acres are centered around Ashland Creek and provide miles of trails, an amphitheater, play structures, water features and so much more.